Preview: Los Angeles FC vs. Real Salt Lake - prediction, team news, lineups

However, Salt Lake do have a game in hand, meaning a win would put them in a very strong position in the play-off positions.

Match preview

Los Angeles have certainly made their mark in the MLS since joining as an expansion team in 2018, qualifying for the play-offs in each of their three seasons so far.

Former United States national team manager Bob Bradley was appointed as the club's inaugural head coach in 2017 and has remained there since, developing a clear team identity to help foster success on the pitch.

His current front three of Jose Cifuentes, Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela has the potential to take the club all the way this season, with Cifuentes scoring in both of their recent wins over Salt Lake and Austin FC.

Another win against Salt Lake on Saturday to extend their winning run to three matches would certainly tighten their grip on a play-off position after a slow start to the campaign by their own high standards.

Salt Lake, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the play-offs last season, so they will be determined to bounce back and reach them this time around.

Despite falling short of the expected aims of a club which won the MLS in 2009 and reached the quarter-finals in 2018 and 2019, Freddy Juarez retained his role as head coach for the current campaign.

Results have certainly picked up, with 16 points from 11 games enough to put them in a play-off position heading into Saturday's trip to Los Angeles.

Juarez and his players will be keen to avenge the recent defeat suffered at home to Bradley's side, with Cifuentes's strike the visitors' only shot on target that day.

A 4-0 win at Vancouver Whitecaps last time out should certainly have improved morale within the squad, especially with star man Damir Kreilach bagging a brace.

Los Angeles FC Major League Soccer form:

Real Salt Lake Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Los Angeles will remain without Erik Duenas and Kwadwo Opuku due to ankle and knee injuries respectively.

After receiving a yellow card in the win at Austin, central defender Jesus Murillo will need to be careful to avoid picking up another as he will incur a one-match ban if he does.

Salt Lake, meanwhile, are likely to travel without Zack Farnsworth and Jeizon Ramirez due to leg injuries.

Like Murillo on the opposite team, Justin Meram and Pablo Ruiz are only one caution away from receiving a suspension.

Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:

Romero; Kim, Segura, Murillo, Farfan; Blessing, Atuesta, Edwards; Cifuentes; Vela, Rossi

Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Herrera, Glad, Silva, Toia; Ruiz, Luiz; Meram, Kreilach, Rusnak; Wood

We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Los Angeles have more quality and decisiveness in attacking areas than Salt Lake, which should prove the difference once again.

We expect a tight game to be separated by a moment of magic or two from the likes of Cifuentes, Vela or Rossi, as was the case in the recent meeting at the beginning of July.